Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GX1 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G3
42
SCORE
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GX1
43
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GX1 are both 2011 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so both accept the same Micro 4/3 lenses. The useful split is body design: the G3 pairs a built-in electronic viewfinder with a flip screen, while the GX1 takes a compact, fixed-screen form. The GX1 is the slimmer carry at 116 x 68 x 39 mm, against 115 x 84 x 47 mm for the G3, and it weighs 18 g less at 318 g. Its shallower depth suits a jacket pocket or a small bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 12, 2011 | November 7, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 115 x 84 x 47 mm | 116 x 68 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 336 g | 318 g |
| Optics | 42/100 | 42/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe G3 is the better pick for eye-level shooting, offering a built-in electronic viewfinder with 1440000 dots while the GX1 has none and relies on its rear screen alone. Resolution is a similarity, so both give the same room to crop a distant subject. The GX1's advantages sit in settings and speed: a 12800 ISO top setting against 6400 on the G3, and a slightly faster 4.2 fps burst against 4 fps. Neither body stabilises the sensor, so both rely on stabilised lenses at slower handheld shutter speeds. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4592 x 3448 | 4592 x 3448 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
Live MOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
4 fps045 | 4.2 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine FHD | Venus Engine FHD |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
16030200 | 16030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16030200 | 16030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
230300 | 230300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe G3 gives video shooters more frames to work with, recording at up to 60 fps against 30 fps on the GX1. That doubles the material available for slowed playback in editing. Maximum video resolution is a shared Full HD, so neither camera offers 4K. File formats differ: the G3 records AVCHD and Motion JPEG, while the GX1 records AVCHD and MP4. The GX1's MP4 option is the easier route straight onto a computer or sharing app. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD, Motion JPEG | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 49/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G3's flip screen is its key feature advantage, tilting the display for waist-level macro work, overhead shots over a crowd or self-framed portraits. The GX1's fixed screen means composing those angles without help. Screen and flash features are shared: both have a 3-inch TFT LCD with 460000 dots and touch input, plus a built-in flash and support for external flash units. Neither body offers GPS, wireless connectivity or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
4600001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 16/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe GX1's rated battery life leads at 310 shots against 270 for the G3. Both use the same DMW-BLD10 battery, so spares are interchangeable between the two bodies. Storage matches: each takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and no second slot in either. Neither supports USB charging, so both depend on the external charger between shoots. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLD10 | DMW-BLD10 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
270 shots1505000 | 310 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The G3 is the better buy for a complete shooting tool in one body: a 1.44-million-dot electronic viewfinder for eye-level work in sunlight, a flip screen for low-angle and overhead framing, and 60 fps video for smooth motion and slowed playback. Travel scenes, children and fast action are where those advantages count.
The GX1 earns its place as a compact everyday carry: a slimmer, lighter body, longer rated battery life and ISO settings reaching 12800 for dim interiors. Choose the G3 for the viewfinder and flexible framing; choose the GX1 when the smallest body and rated endurance matter most.